Spray On Sealants for keeping auto protected in Maine winters

[5js]

I have another thread where I am looking for recommendations for a product between biannual details. Something like a QD or waterless after going to a coin-op touchless.

While looking at the different products for that purpose I noticed that they have some spray on sealants that you can spray onto a washed auto while it’s still wet, then you rinse the auto off and dry.
This got me thinking about the winters here in Maine when it’s usually impractical to do even a QD or a waterless.

What are thoughts on going to a coin-op car wash (the type with a bay and a wand). Washing the vehicle – the applying the spray sealant while it’s still wet – then rinsing and drying while it’s still in the bay? This would just be to get though the winter season.

A couple of example products I came across are Sonax Spray and Seal or McKee’s Hydro Blue Sio2 coating. Anybody have experience with these products or similar spray on sealants? Again, just looking at something to get me through the winter months in Maine – where they use a lot of chemicals on the roads (salt, calcium chloride, etc.)

 

[acuRAS82]

You’ll want to rinse first, then spray (then rinse again if it’s a spray and rinse product like you mention) then dry... but yeah, these should provide some protection from the elements in between washes.

 

[5js]

You’ll want to rinse first, then spray (then rinse again if it’s a spray and rinse product like you mention) then dry... but yeah, these should provide some protection from the elements in between washes.

Oops, yea that would be the plan. Forgot to include the rinse. So yea, wash - rinse - spray sealant - rinse - dry. I should be able to do that in a bay during the winters in Maine.

Would love to hear feedback from others that have used one of these spray sealants you apply to a wet auto.

 

[howardm4]

I use Carpro Hydro2 (the concentrate) at 1:9 ratio and it works very well. Basically the same as the others you mention.

Costwise, the concentrates are MUCH better values (but that's true of all this car care stuff).

 

[acuRAS82]

I’ve used plenty of Mckees Hydro Blue. It’s really easy, lasts for a month or more in the real world northeast (winter in Maine, maybe less though where salt blasts the lower panels). It self cleans great. It’s basically a very short term, easy to apply coating.

I agree that you should go with concentrate. Easier to store inside (don’t let products freeze!), better value, probably has longer shelf life.

The only thing I can’t guarantee is how Hydro Blue will last when applied in the cold weather, assuming your bays will be above freezing but not exactly a 60F+. But you’ll find out soon enough. As you rinse/wash you’ll see how well the previous coat has held up.

 

[howardm4]

if the bays allow you to attach your own detergent tank, then Carpro makes a version that is truly all-in-one. Wash and apply at the same time, no separate rinse, spray/apply, rinse. I think it's called 'Carpro Foam' but not sure.

>> I'm sure an email to the product's mfgr re: application in cold weather etc would be useful in deciding which was better (if any) for your use case.

 

[SWETM]

I have used spray on rinse off products as the only LSP during 2 winters here in Sweden. Sonax Spray and Seal is a great one and gives you a candy gloss a longevity of high performance 2-3 months and up to 4 months until totaly failed. But useally you have one wash you can do during the 2-3 months. The same you get from Gyeon Wet Coat but a more crispy gloss from it. The new version of Gyeon Wet Coat 2019 has even a notch higher longevity from it. Testing it now on the sides and back of the car. And I have noticed it's more of protection from it. Have also used the Carpro Hydro2 lite which is the ready to use version. Before the new version of Gyeon Wet Coat this has been the longest durability between them. Have also the Meguiars Hybrid Ceramic Wax testing on half of the hood and just got the new Turtle Wax Dry N Shine Rinse Wax LOL. So you can say I like these kind of products LOL.

As long as it's not lower than the freezing point they work great to apply in these conditions. Remember that it's recommended to apply it one panel at the time and rinse it off starting from the top of the vehical. During the winter months you get often away with a big panel or 2 smaller panels at the same time. You can get away with larger size of spray on and rinse off but you take a risk of getting high spots that way. So I don't risk it as if it dries on the paint you have problems with getting it off.

One more tips to save product and getting you a better coverage. Is to spray 2 times on the panel and 4 times on bigger panels and take a damp mf towel or mf applicator sponge and spread it out on the panel and PW rinse it off thoroughly. It is an extra step but it goes fast still to do this. And IME I feel like I get a longer durability from it this way. Wring out the mf towel or mf applicator sponge when it's gets saturated. A 1L Wet Coat bottle I get 10 applications from easy and that includes the rims.

IME I also feels like these kind of products build up the protection. So start applying it a month or 2 before the winter months. Apply it every other wash so you get at least 3-4 applications during this time. And I have gotten a higher performance from them. I have not used Hydro Blue. But the ones I have used I can recommend them all. The HCW some like to be useing as a drying aid with great results. And even diluted it down up to 1:7 have worked good. Also the better prep you do the longer longevity from it you get. This is when you start useing it. Decon wash with a tar remover and iron remover. Also get Carpro Reset car soap or Gtechnic G-Wash to get the paint as clean as possible when you wash it at the coin-op. These are so good when you have the road salt and road film during the winter months. And the better it bonds when you reapply them during the winter months. It's not effective to apply 2 layers after each other. So wait a week at least before next application. When you have building up the protection and performance you only need to be reapply it every other month. They are more durable when you have building up the protection.

/ Tony

 

[acuRAS82]

^^ Thanks Tony, for confirming your experience with Spray and rinse products working well in cold weather. Good to know!

 

[5js]

I have used spray on rinse off products as the only LSP during 2 winters here in Sweden. Sonax Spray and Seal is a great one and gives you a candy gloss a longevity of high performance 2-3 months and up to 4 months until totaly failed. But useally you have one wash you can do during the 2-3 months. The same you get from Gyeon Wet Coat but a more crispy gloss from it. The new version of Gyeon Wet Coat 2019 has even a notch higher longevity from it. Testing it now on the sides and back of the car. And I have noticed it's more of protection from it. Have also used the Carpro Hydro2 lite which is the ready to use version. Before the new version of Gyeon Wet Coat this has been the longest durability between them. Have also the Meguiars Hybrid Ceramic Wax testing on half of the hood and just got the new Turtle Wax Dry N Shine Rinse Wax LOL. So you can say I like these kind of products LOL.

As long as it's not lower than the freezing point they work great to apply in these conditions. Remember that it's recommended to apply it one panel at the time and rinse it off starting from the top of the vehical. During the winter months you get often away with a big panel or 2 smaller panels at the same time. You can get away with larger size of spray on and rinse off but you take a risk of getting high spots that way. So I don't risk it as if it dries on the paint you have problems with getting it off.

One more tips to save product and getting you a better coverage. Is to spray 2 times on the panel and 4 times on bigger panels and take a damp mf towel or mf applicator sponge and spread it out on the panel and PW rinse it off thoroughly. It is an extra step but it goes fast still to do this. And IME I feel like I get a longer durability from it this way. Wring out the mf towel or mf applicator sponge when it's gets saturated. A 1L Wet Coat bottle I get 10 applications from easy and that includes the rims.

IME I also feels like these kind of products build up the protection. So start applying it a month or 2 before the winter months. Apply it every other wash so you get at least 3-4 applications during this time. And I have gotten a higher performance from them. I have not used Hydro Blue. But the ones I have used I can recommend them all. The HCW some like to be useing as a drying aid with great results. And even diluted it down up to 1:7 have worked good. Also the better prep you do the longer longevity from it you get. This is when you start useing it. Decon wash with a tar remover and iron remover. Also get Carpro Reset car soap or Gtechnic G-Wash to get the paint as clean as possible when you wash it at the coin-op. These are so good when you have the road salt and road film during the winter months. And the better it bonds when you reapply them during the winter months. It's not effective to apply 2 layers after each other. So wait a week at least before next application. When you have building up the protection and performance you only need to be reapply it every other month. They are more durable when you have building up the protection.

/ Tony

Thanks Tony.

I'll definitely start the season with a well prepped and sealed auto. Plan is to wash -> chemical decon -> rinse/dry -> clay bar -> polish (Menzerna 3500) -> wipe down -> sealant (Menzerna Powerlock). As long as I can I'll be washing regularly and using waterless wash product periodically as a quik-detailer.

Once the winter season starts I plan on going the coin-op touchless car wash when it's above freezing. However, I don't think I be able to use the Carpro Reset or Gtechnic G-wash while in the wash bay (may be able to, just not sure). Then after washing and rinsing i'll apply the spray on sealant, rinse off, then dry. I'll try using a wet MF to spread the product over a panel before I PW rinse it off. Based on what you provided above I'm most likely going to try the Gyeon Wet Coat first. Keep us apprised on how the other products you are testing work and I'll modify my plans accordingly .

 

[howardm4]

It's kind of a losing battle. I'm in Boston and once the car is winter prepped, to do cleanings, I just hit it w/ ONR at a higher than normal dilution for rinseless via a tank sprayer to get things wet and start the crud flowing. then onto ONR and BRS, MF dry and home-made Elixir (Echo2 & Reload) as a topper. Maybe this year I'll try Sonax BSD

 

[5js]

It's kind of a losing battle. I'm in Boston and once the car is winter prepped, to do cleanings, I just hit it w/ ONR at a higher than normal dilution for rinseless via a tank sprayer to get things wet and start the crud flowing. then onto ONR and BRS, MF dry and home-made Elixir (Echo2 & Reload) as a topper. Maybe this year I'll try Sonax BSD

Agreed - it is kind of losing battle. Even a rinseless would be difficult. Thinking one of the spray on sealants like Tony is using in Sweden may help in the battle. I'll use the other products (Like a concentrate mixed for rinseless, waterless, or QD) as long as I can.

 

[Klasse Act]

It's kind of a losing battle. I'm in Boston and once the car is winter prepped, to do cleanings, I just hit it w/ ONR at a higher than normal dilution for rinseless via a tank sprayer to get things wet and start the crud flowing. then onto ONR and BRS, MF dry and home-made Elixir (Echo2 & Reload) as a topper. Maybe this year I'll try Sonax BSD

Don't give up, get a Worx hydroshot so you can rinse up under the car as well as the tires, wheels and wells. I've had mine for over 2 years and it's been great, not letting Mother Nature win here in Chicagoland

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[5js]

It's kind of a losing battle. I'm in Boston and once the car is winter prepped, to do cleanings, I just hit it w/ ONR at a higher than normal dilution for rinseless via a tank sprayer to get things wet and start the crud flowing. then onto ONR and BRS, MF dry and home-made Elixir (Echo2 & Reload) as a topper. Maybe this year I'll try Sonax BSD

This got me thinking. During the winter months where it's really only practical for me to go to a coin-op bay, what if washed and rinsed the vehicle, then applied Sonax BSD as a drying aid and then dried with some MF clothes? Or maybe even a 50/50 mix of Wolfgang Uber / Sonax BSD as a drying aid? Seems like this would get the vehicle clean while putting a bit of protection/beading/shine.

Then if we had a day that was nice enough I might get in a waterless or rinseless with a Wolfgang Uber / Sonax BSD mixed as appropriate for the application.

Hmm, might be worth giving this a try...

 

[Klasse Act]

I'd be afraid it's cold and it would streak

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[KBsToy]

For my SW Pa winter prep I am going back to DPC Spray sealant then use 50 / 50 mixture of BSD / V07 as a drying aid.. This worked will for me last winter.

 

[5js]

I'd be afraid it's cold and it would streak

That would be acceptable. During the winter it's primarily to keep the surface cleaned or road salt and chemicals (calcium chloride, etc.), and attempt to keep a layer of protection through the winter.

For my SW Pa winter prep I am going back to DPC Spray sealant then use 50 / 50 mixture of BSD / V07 as a drying aid.. This worked will for me last winter.

So the DPC Sealant was applied before winter, then you maintained with BSD/V07 as a drying aid during the winter? Sounds like you were satisfied with that method as you are going to do it again this year :goodjob2:

 

[SWETM]

This got me thinking. During the winter months where it's really only practical for me to go to a coin-op bay, what if washed and rinsed the vehicle, then applied Sonax BSD as a drying aid and then dried with some MF clothes? Or maybe even a 50/50 mix of Wolfgang Uber / Sonax BSD as a drying aid? Seems like this would get the vehicle clean while putting a bit of protection/beading/shine.

Then if we had a day that was nice enough I might get in a waterless or rinseless with a Wolfgang Uber / Sonax BSD mixed as appropriate for the application.

Hmm, might be worth giving this a try...

Since you have the Menzerna Powerlock as your base protection you don't have to be worried about your protection won't last over the winter. It's a very durable protection and is by many liked as the winter protection or year round protection here in Sweden. So I would trust that to get you through the winter even with less washing when you have the temperature in under the freezing point.

That said it's always nice to get a bump up in the looks and a little extra protection from it. And if you have problems with getting the car clean enough to top it up with something like the spray on rinse off products. I would look at going with something like the BSD or the QD solution you mentions. The BSD/V07 is well tried mix of products like Merlins Elixir is. So that would be an option to go with if you want to mix the BSD with something. Also Powerlock has a great performance in the water behavior and self cleaning ability from it. So be casious if you want to have that high performance from it when you chose what you use on it. BSD would keep it up but I would also look at Carpro EcH2O in waterless wash dilution or rinseless wash dilution or QD dilution. You get the gloss and it won't interfear with the Powerlocks performance. If you don't are able to do a bucket wash at the coin-op you can do a waterless wash or rinseless wash with EcH2O to get it more cleanly paint. The prerinse with the coin-op PW and if you want to and can I would do a pretreatment with a alkaline based degreaser in weak dilution before you PW clean rinsing it off. The Powerlock users here does that and also use what we call Cold Degreaser which is like a tar remover. The alkaline based degreaser in weak dilution before you PW clean rinsing it off helps you to get more grime off from the road salt and road film and all it gets on the car. I can see or if other chaims in on what can be used as this. You use a pressure pump spray bottle to spread it out over the car or you can use a foam pump sprayer to get a little longer dwell time. As long as you don't aggitate these degreasers most sealants stand up to these and Powerlock is one of them that do so. And you get less dirt for the waterless wash or rinseless wash to handle.

 

[5js]

Since you have the Menzerna Powerlock as your base protection you don't have to be worried about your protection won't last over the winter. It's a very durable protection and is by many liked as the winter protection or year round protection here in Sweden. So I would trust that to get you through the winter even with less washing when you have the temperature in under the freezing point.

That said it's always nice to get a bump up in the looks and a little extra protection from it. And if you have problems with getting the car clean enough to top it up with something like the spray on rinse off products. I would look at going with something like the BSD or the QD solution you mentions. The BSD/V07 is well tried mix of products like Merlins Elixir is. So that would be an option to go with if you want to mix the BSD with something. Also Powerlock has a great performance in the water behavior and self cleaning ability from it. So be casious if you want to have that high performance from it when you chose what you use on it. BSD would keep it up but I would also look at Carpro EcH2O in waterless wash dilution or rinseless wash dilution or QD dilution. You get the gloss and it won't interfear with the Powerlocks performance. If you don't are able to do a bucket wash at the coin-op you can do a waterless wash or rinseless wash with EcH2O to get it more cleanly paint. The prerinse with the coin-op PW and if you want to and can I would do a pretreatment with a alkaline based degreaser in weak dilution before you PW clean rinsing it off. The Powerlock users here does that and also use what we call Cold Degreaser which is like a tar remover. The alkaline based degreaser in weak dilution before you PW clean rinsing it off helps you to get more grime off from the road salt and road film and all it gets on the car. I can see or if other chaims in on what can be used as this. You use a pressure pump spray bottle to spread it out over the car or you can use a foam pump sprayer to get a little longer dwell time. As long as you don't aggitate these degreasers most sealants stand up to these and Powerlock is one of them that do so. And you get less dirt for the waterless wash or rinseless wash to handle.

Thanks again Tony. I have been looking at either the Wolfgang Uber/Sonax BSD or the Carpro Ech2o/Reload mixed as a waterless or QD for general touch ups between major details. Then in the winter using this as a drying aid after the coin-op wash/rinse. I also have seen posts for the BSD/V07. Sounds like either of these will work well for my needs.

Also - I do like the idea of a pre-treatment to loosen some of the winter road chemicals (salt/calcium chloride/etc.) Would be interested in the specific product you call Cold Degreaser and as what ratio people mix this at for a pre-treatment on paint. Is this the product they use? SONAX Engine Cleaner

Oh, and next summer I may mix whichever I end up at a rinseless concentration and give that a try.

 

[SWETM]

You have some options to go with. Sonax Engine degreaser I think is too strong. What the cold degreasers is are they have a mix of petroleum based chemicals. These we use from the front fenders and back of the car. But stops right before the side windows rubber seals. And we don't get over that as it can run down into the doors and desolve the rust protection inside of them. I have used Carpro TarX but it's an expensive product to use. But it's also mostly if you get problems with tar spots. We get a lot of them because of how they makes the asphalt here in Sweden. And also that many vehicals uses studded winter tires which wears a lot on the roads and we need to be useing a tar remover/Cold Degreaser monthly during the winter months and until the road salt gets off the roads. The rest we use alkaline based degreaser either in a TFR foam or with spraying them on.

Gtechnic W4 Citrus Foam can be used in a spray bottle or pressure pump spray bottle to cover the vehical. Let it dwell and PW clean rinsing it off. You can use it in a foamcannon or foam pump sprayer in 1:200-1:400 when it lands on the vehical. This is a good option to go with IMO.

GTechniq W4 Citrus Foam

Carpro MultiX is another good option to go with. It say for prewash dilution 1:1-1:20. This is also a very effective cleaner and I have seen some useing it as a pretreatment/prewash product and it was more than effective at 1:10 on the road salt covered car. So I would start with 1:20 or even 1:30 and then find the sweet spot dilution for you.

CarPro MultiX All Purpose Cleaner Concentrate

3D Yellow Degreaser 106 is also something I think would work great as a prewash treatment. Same as the Carpro MultiX start at 1:30 and work your way to the sweet spot. You will notice this if you use the water pressure from the PW to clean with and see from that how much it's aid the cleaning ability.

3D Yellow Degreaser 106 128 oz.

3D Super Presoak seems also to fit the prewash treatment. Don't know if AGO has got the wrong dilutions on this. If it's what they claims it's a very economical prewash product in the longrun as up to 1:1800 and down to 1:1000 gets you an extreme value. But I looked at the Super Soap which has the same dilution which is awesome for a car soap too. I think it can been mixed up on the Presoak product. If not I would buy it asap LOL. The 3D Super Duty degreaser seems interesting to use as a Cold Degreaser where it might not get any tar off it desolves the heavy oily road film that gets the side panels and the back of the car during the winter months. Could be worth to try out if you notice you might need something stronger on these parts. Or the 3D Super Citrus APC is another one that claims to desolve tar spots and tree sap and such of grime winter weather gets. The same here start with a weak dilution and ad more if needed. The 3D Super line of products I think have been interesting since it came out. It's more concentrated and you dilute it weaker than other products.

3D Super Pre-Soak

3D Super Duty Degreaser

https://www.autogeek.net/3d-super-citrus-apc.html

Many options I throw on you. But the products I use is not many available in the US. And I'm pretty dialed in with what products I use during the winter months. We have different offerings here to like Sonax we have 3 different products that is mostly for the winter months but also great when doing the decon washes. They have a product like Carpro TRIX where you have both the tar remover and iron remover in it. Not the most effective in either part but when you need it for winter dirty vehicals it's usefull. And yes we use maybe more chemicals here for the washes. But it's mostly cause it's not fun to get fresh tar spots in your wash mitt when washing. And not fun getting it in the washer either to clean the wash media. Then you hold many off the bonded contaminants off in the longrun. For an example I have not clayed my car or the one I maintain in over 2 years now. It's not perfectly clean like right after a polishing. But you hardly feel them with a baggie test. So we have a little difference between us on how use different products. And also what the manufactures are makeing products that you use on the cars is different. Turtle Wax has also other products here in EU and actually their Cold Degreaser is in the top tier of them and I have used it many times before. As you have offerings that we don't have. Especially Meguiars #7 I'm bummed to not have access to other than to import it from the UK. The pbmg brands and GG and 3D and LC and B&S is brands that's not available here either. But get what's available for us and that's a lot of products to chose from LOL